Travelling with children
Travelling with children comes with a few extra details, but it doesn’t have to feel complicated. This page covers what to know before you go, including booking, seating, baggage, identification, and helpful tips, so you can focus on travelling together.
Booking
Make sure your infant is added to your booking before you travel.
- On most routes, lap-held infants don’t pay a base fare or taxes.
- Some international destinations charge infant taxes.
- On flights to the United States, government fees may apply.
To purchase a seat for your infant, please contact us, as extra seats cannot be booked online.
Seats for infants cannot be added to an existing reservation. If you’ve already booked your flight, you’ll need to make a new reservation that includes the additional seat.
- Standard fares, taxes, and fees apply to the extra seat.
- When an extra seat is purchased, your infant may travel in an approved car seat or child restraint system.
- Please let us know if you plan to use a car seat or child restraint system when making your booking.
If your infant is seven days old or younger, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor before flying.
Bringing medical clearance, like an Air Travel Requirements Assessment Form (ATRAF) or a signed doctor's note, can help keep things moving smoothly at the airport.
If your child turns two before your return flight, you’ll need to purchase a seat for the trip home.
Contact us before your return flight and we’ll help update your booking.
Bassinets are available in the Economy cabin on select 787-9 aircraft.
- Bassinets can be requested during booking by selecting eligible seats.
- Availability is limited and can’t be guaranteed.
- Children aged two and older need their own seat.
- Children 4 years and under must travel with someone who is at least 16 years old.
- Children 5 to 11 must travel with someone who is at least 12 years old.
If your child is travelling solo, we’ve got programs and support in place to help them travel safely and confidently.
Baggage allowance
Checked baggage
- You can check two pieces of infant or child equipment at no charge, or check one and gate-check another
Carry-on baggage
- One diaper bag
Checked baggage
- You can check two pieces of infant or child equipment at no charge, or check one and gate-check another
Carry-on baggage
- One diaper bag
Checked baggage
- Your baggage allowance will be based on your fare type, WestJet Rewards tier status, and the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡
- Plus, one piece of infant or child equipment (checked or gate-checked)
Carry-on baggage
- One diaper bag; and
- Carry-on allowance based on your fare type.
Checked baggage
- Baggage allowance based on fare type, WestJet Rewards tier status, and the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡
- Plus, one piece of infant or child equipment (checked or gate-checked)
Carry-on baggage
- Carry-on allowance based on fare type.
The accompanying adult follows the baggage allowance based on fare type, WestJet Rewards tier status, and the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡.
Use the baggage calculator to check allowances for adults and children.
The baggage calculator does not apply to infants.
- Playpen
- Stroller (including multi-piece)
- Car seats and restraint systems
Seats
Lap-held infants must be seated with one accompanying adult.
- Each adult may be responsible for one infant under two.
- Infants can’t sit in emergency exit rows.
- For safety reasons, two lap-held infants cannot be seated in the same row due to oxygen mask limitations.
You can select seats during booking or later in Manage Trips.
Bassinets are available for infants who:
- Weigh less than 25 lb (11 kg)
- Measure less than 26 in (66 cm)
- Cannot sit upright
Additional information
- Bassinets are located in front of seats 9B, 9D, 9F, 9J, and 25E in the Economy cabin.
- These seats do not have under-seat storage.
- Infants must be held on an adult’s lap whenever the seat belt sign is on.
- A cabin crew member must attach or remove the bassinet.
- Bassinets are subject to availability
If you’re travelling with a child under 14:
- We recommend selecting seats ahead of time (fees may apply)
- You can select seats during booking or later in Manage Trips.
- If you don’t select seats, Standard seats are automatically assigned at no extra cost about 26 hours after booking or before check-in. You’ll be notified by email.
Identification
Children under 18 don’t need ID to travel within Canada. If you’re travelling with an infant under two, you may be asked to show proof of age.
Every guest, including children and infants, need the right travel documents for their destination and any countries they pass through.
You can confirm your infant’s age with a document like a birth certificate. A photocopy works.
If you can’t provide proof of age:
- You may need to purchase a seat; or
- Travel may not be allowed.
An accompanying adult must meet ID requirements and may be asked to confirm they are at least 16 years old.
Review ID and entry requirements before your trip.
Travelling while pregnant
If you’re expecting, it helps to plan ahead. We share guidance for different stages of pregnancy, including travel after 36 weeks, plus tips to help you stay comfortable along the way.
Helpful tips
Before you head to the airport, take a quick look at what you can and can’t bring in your carry-on and checked baggage, including baby formula and food. You’ll find the latest details on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website.
We recommend arriving a little earlier than standard check-in times. This gives you more time to get settled, move through the airport with ease and connect with our WestJetters if you need support with infant equipment or gate-check tags.
If you’re travelling with children under five, you’re welcome to board during special boarding, after our priority guests.
This gives you extra time to:
- collapse and stow gate-checked infant equipment
- get settled in your seats
- connect with our Cabin Crew about safety information for you and your child
Takeoff and landing can feel uncomfortable for little ears due to changes in pressure. You can help ease the discomfort by:
- feeding or nursing during takeoff and landing
- offering a pacifier
- giving gum or a small snack (if age appropriate)
If your child has a cold or ear infection, consider speaking with a doctor before travelling, as congestion can increase pressure in the ears.
If your child is prone to motion sickness, you may want to speak with a doctor about ways to help prevent discomfort.
And if you need one, every seat pocket has an airsickness bag available.